Monday, August 22, 2016

I hope everyone will join me in welcoming our new international student for the Fall 2016 Semester! We had a great group for orientation last Wednesday. The final numbers are not available yet, but it was very near 200!Last Thursday, we had several take advantage of our Walmart trips. Then, that evening, we had our annual Welcome Picnic. What a great crowd, and they loved the Jim 'n Nicks BBQ. A true taste of American cuisine.On Friday, we took 30 of them to Nashville for our annual Nashville Tour. Not even the rain dampened their interest in what our nearest neighboring city has to offer. They saw the Farmers Market, State Capitol, War Memorial Plaza, and Downtown Nashville. Many want to find their way back soon to explore even more.Saturday saw the annual Great Giveaway bless many of them with free items to set up their residence. Annually, this event helps students with bedding, furniture, cookware, dinnerware, etc. Thanks to Raiders For Christ for their willingness to help our students with such wonderful things.Now, the students are ready to get to the "nitty gritty" of why they are here; studies. We wish everyone the best in their classes. You are the cream of the crop from around the world. Make us proud!See you soon!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

We hope you'll plan to join us shortly after the fall semester begins for this exciting first year event. On September 10, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, at Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro, the International Affairs office is joining with the Confucius Institute and Murfreesboro City Schools in presenting "'Boro International Festival 2016." The event will have food, arts & crafts, and cultural exhibits and entertainment from around the globe. Attendance will be free and open to all. If your group would like to take part in the event, please contact the International Student & Scholar Services office for more information. We have application forms in our office. If you would simply like to volunteer to help, we need you, as well.

Our goal is to showcase for the Murfreesboro community the diversity that we have to offer. We hope you'll attend, or, if you can, offer to help out.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Our small group headed out to the Nashville Zoo on the Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend. Everyone was excited to see the animals and the changes that have taken place at the zoo over the past several years. There was much to do and view. We saw the Grassmere home, which is the original home on the land that dates back before the American Civil War. The home had residents until the mid 1970s. After that, it was donated to the City of Nashville for the express purpose of creating a place where young people could learn about ecology and conservation.

There was plenty of "hands-on" experience at the zoo. We were able to get up close and personal in several exhibits, including barnyard animals, wild birds, tortoises, and kangaroos. It was a cool day, so the animals were active.

Aside from seeing a good selection of wildlife, the students got the chance to get to know one another and build on their friendships. That is always the best thing about trips like these. We all get to know one another better, and build on our global connections. So, if you're looking to make better connections with others from around the globe, I strongly encourage you to join us on one of our outings. As these students discovered, you won't be disappointed in the activity, or the friendships!

Thursday, April 28, 2016

What a great event! It is always such sweet sorry to come to this event. This is what each of these students has worked so hard to achieve; graduation. It usually means, though, that they will be moving on. We hope you will enjoy a few snaps from the reception this semester. You can view more at our Event Photo Page.

Monday, April 25, 2016

At left is the tentative fall events flyer. You can view it larger by clicking on it. It will change over the course of the summer, as we finalize event details. You can also see a copy of it on the ISSS page, or the ISSS calendar. These will both be updated throughout the summer, as well.

We hope you will use these avenues to plan for your fall as the new semester approaches. You can always email us if you have any questions about specific events, or if you would like to sign up for those events that require it.

This is the final weekly update of events for the semester for this blog. Don't worry, though! We will be posting during the summer. We'll post about summer events, information and photos, and will resume our weekly posts at the beginning of the Fall Semester. If we find anything that we feel might be of interest to you, we'll also post that. So, keep checking for posts throughout the summer. That way, you'll be fully informed when you return in August.

* Remember, this Tuesday is the final Conversation Partners Meal of the semester. Make sure you stop by and say farewell for the summer to the friends you have made over the past semester/year.

If you have children with you, they will have a great time at the June Anderson Center Family Fun Day outside the Student Union this Friday, beginning at 5pm. There will be games and other activities for them to enjoy.

We hope you'll attend the International Undergraduate Graduation Reception on April 28, and join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our graduating internationals. Light refreshments will be provided. The reception will begin promptly at 10am, and will take between 30 and 45 minutes. This is Study Day, so no one can claim to have classes!

Finally, if you will be around campus during the summer, and you would like to be notified of any activities we plan, email the ISSS office to let us know. We will add you to the list and plan activities accordingly.

I'd like to bring to your attention, the 'Boro International Festival Interest Meeting, mentioned above. In September of this year, we will be partnering with several departments on campus, and the Murfreesboro School District, to co-host a festival at Cannonsburgh, here in Murfreesboro. It will be a great way to showcase the many different cultures in Rutherford County, and at MTSU. If you are part of an organization that would like to take part in this festival, or would just like to know a little more about it, please attend the interest meeting this Friday, April 8, from 5 to 6pm. It will be held at Reeves Rogers Elementary School (map link above), which is located very near campus. If you know where the Ag parking lot is, it is located just across Greenland Drive from there. It is definitely within walking distance of the campus. Once you get there, go to the main doors and let them know you are there for the 'Boro International meeting. They'll guide you to the meeting room from there.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

As we approach the end of the semester, most of you will begin to think about taking trips over the summer. Some of those trips will take you outside the United States. If that is you, this post is for you.

The first thing to mention is that last year, US Immigration redesigned the I-20 form. Some, mostly our new students, have already received one of these updated forms. For those that didn't, it was no problem, as both were accepted as you re-entered the US. We have been informed that will no longer be the case. So, if you are planning to travel outside the US this summer, even if you still have a valid signature, you MUST contact someone at International Affairs to print you a new I-20. Will they deny you entry if you have a valid I-20, with a valid travel signature, just because it is the older version? I don't know, but why would you risk it if all you need to do is have a new one printed?

Secondly, if you are in need of a travel signature, whether your current signature is expiring or you just need an updated form, you MUST fill out and bring the Request For Travel Signature form with your I-20 for someone to sign it. We have been using this form for a year, now. The form helps us process your I-20 for travel much faster, and reduces the number of students who need to be called back in due to issues, such as holds, wrong I-20, etc. The form asks you to verify your passport expiration, visa expiration, and make sure there are no holds on your account. It is really for your benefit, as well as ours. It reduces the processing time from 3 days to 1 day, though, we still ask that you bring your I-20 to us for signature 1 to 2 weeks prior to your planned departure. Don't let an emergency on our part cause you to miss your flight because we didn't have enough time to get to your form.

There are two ways you can get the form. First, you can come to either Peck Hall 208 or Jones Hall 111 to pick up a form. Take the form with you, verify the dates in your passport and that you have no holds, then return with both forms and leave it with us to sign. Secondly, you can print the form from the ISSS page, or here, fill it out, and bring it to either office for signature.

*Please note, the Request For Travel Signature form only applies to undergraduate students. Graduate students MUST take their I-20 to the Graduate Studies office for signature. Please check with them for their process.

We hope you are making plans to attend the Dance this Friday, April 1. As a follow up to requests from the Valentine's Dance, this dance is again open to all MTSU students, spouses, and dependents (aged 16 and up). Come dance in celebration of the end of the school year before you get too busy studying for finals. Don't know how to dance? Don't worry. We will have instruction between 7 and 8pm in salsa, rumba, and basic swing. Then, between 8 and 10pm we will have open dance. Dance any style you'd like. This event is free, so we hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events:
Friday, April 8, Community Theater, "Tom Sawyer." We will leave campus at 6:30pm and should return by 10:30pm. If you would like to reserve a ticket, email the ISSS office before April 1. Tickets are free.

As you can see, we had a great time at the Family Fun Night last Friday. These are only a few of the games we played, and some of the group who made it out. You can view more photos by going to our Google Drive page.

The children had a great time playing and making new friends. I also want to thank Duo Duo Ye for coming out and helping. She gave of her time and helped make this evening possible.

We look forward to more events like this. If you'd like to help, please let us know. The children will enjoy it, and our office will appreciate it!

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Saturday
- Women's Basketball vs FIU, Murphy Center, 2pmWhat is MT Idol? It is MTSU's annual singing competition. Similar to American Idol, students will compete against one another and the audience will "text vote" to choose the winner.

Monday, February 29, 2016

We have three big events in March. The first is our International Family Fun Night, March 11. This event is designed to provide a fun evening for our international student who have a spouse and/or children with them here at MTSU. The event will start at 6pm in the Tom Jackson Building. We plan to end the evening at 8pm. The evening will feature light snacks, games designed for children of all ages, and prizes with some of the games. International students without families here at MTSU are also encouraged to get involved. We hope you'll be interested in helping us plan and execute the evening, as well as being there to play with, and encourage, the children. Sometimes, we forget the big changes in the lives of these children. They have come to another country, yet they may not speak the new language, and may have trouble making friends. Our goal is that this evening will help them to enjoy their time here a little better, and feel more a part of our community.

The next event on the calendar will be our Evening at Opry Mills Mall, March 18.. Our office will provide transportation to the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville. We will leave campus at 3pm and travel to the mall. Once there, you will have many popular, yet unique, stores to shop. Many of these stores are from among the more "upscale" stores in America, such as American Eagle, Saks, and Tommy Hilfiger, some of which are not available in Murfreesboro. There is also a large food court for your dinner meal, and a large movie theater complex. You'll be on your own to do what you want, you'll just need to rejoin us after the mall closes so we can leave and return to campus. We will plan to leave the mall at 9:30pm. So, if you want to take in a move, you'll need to select one that ends before that. We're taking vans, so you should have plenty of room to bring back all your goodies from the trip. If you'd like to join, you'll need to email the ISSS office to reserve your spot. Space will be limited.

Our final big event for the month will be the International Day with the MTSU Men's Tennis team, Saturday, March 19. They will battle College of Charleston at 2pm. They want us to begin the match with a Parade of Flags, and will offer free pizza and tips to improve your tennis game afterwards. If you can help out with the Parade of Flags by carrying the flag of your homeland, please email the ISSS office and let us know in advance. We have the flags, we just need you to carry it. Show your pride!

As always, if you have any questions about any of these events, don't hesitate to email the ISSS office. We're always glad to answer your questions!

Friday, February 19, 2016

MTSU's international population has a growing number of students and scholars who are bringing their children with them when they come to our campus. With this growth, we are looking to begin programming designed specifically for these families. In the past, they are welcome to bring them to most of our activities, but if you remember being a child, you will remember not wanting to spend all of your time around "grown-ups." Children have different needs for entertainment, and children who have moved to a completely different culture are not different. Even the parents of these children have needs that are different from most traditional students.

Therefore, we are looking for volunteers. If you love children, and would love to help out your fellow international students with events designed specifically for families and children, please contact the ISSS office. We will get together with those who are willing to volunteer and put together various activities with these families in mind. The events can be educational, games, or a combination of both. The sky is the limit, as they say. Then, once we have them planned, you'll be able to help put them together so they have a great time.

This is just another way for you to get involved in the growing international community here at MTSU!

Monday, February 15, 2016

Success! That's what everyone who attended thought. There was a good crowd who came out to dance, including coming to the lesson portion. Those who came to the lessons learned to waltz, rumba, swing, and salsa. After the lessons, we danced for the next two hours. Everyone had a great time, and even talked about wanting to do it again! Dancing is a great way to exercise and meet people. We hope you'll join us the next time we do this!

Be sure to check out more photos from the night. You can do that by following the link to our Google photos page from the ISSS page on the MTSU site.

Friday, February 12, 2016

What better way to spend Valentine's Weekend than dancing!? This evening, from 8 to 10pm, we will do just that, in the Tom Jackson Building on campus. Come out and enjoy a fun evening, and dance the night away!

Don't know how to dance? Don't worry, we've got you covered. From 7 to 8pm, we'll offer free dance lessons, teaching four basic dances that will be useful all evening; waltz, rumba, basic swing, and salsa. Don't worry, these dances are fun and easy to learn.

Don't care to dance "ballroom" style? Don't worry, you are free to dance any way you like. We want you there to enjoy the evening any way you like.

Don't have a date? No problem. Many will be there just like you. This isn't about dates, anyway. It's about having fun. And, since everyone is there to "dance the night away," ask away. You'll have lots of dance partners.

So, we hope you'll join us for the evening. Go to dinner, come take dance lessons, then dance, dance, dance! And look for photos on Monday!

Monday, February 8, 2016

We had a great time last Friday at our First Friday event. If you recall, we planned on playing board games throughout the evening and munching on snacks. Well, Alan Parker with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry came and brought quite the feast; pizza and wings! He also brought quite a few good, popular games. Throughout the evening, we played Battleship, Skip-Bo, Jenga, Dutch Blitz, and Apples to Apples. Everyone had a great evening in the Tom Jackson Building. If you made it out, thanks again for making the evening a very fun event. If you didn't, know that we missed you and hope you will join us at our next event, also in the Tom Jackson Building, our Valentine's Dance, this Friday, February 12, from 7 to 10pm.

Friday, January 29, 2016

We had a great time yesterday at the semi-annual Welcome Reception. In fact, we ran out of coffee and hot chocolate! We've never done that before, even in years when it was colder outside. There were students from the US, France, Japan, India, and Indonesia. I think we even had a few from China and Saudi Arabia that dropped in and out quickly.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

I know, the semester has just begun, but it's time to start thinking about Spring Break. Where will you go? Are you staying in Murfreesboro? Are you planning a trip? Would you like to visit other places within the US? There are plenty of options!

First, there is a trip to Puerto Rico that the Rec Center has planned. The trip will be a chance to visit the US territory in the Caribbean for some surfing, snorkeling, and hiking. The dates of the trip are March 6th through 11th, and the cost is $1175 per person, which includes transportation, lodging, and lessons. The picture in this post has the details. Sign-ups are through the Rec Center. This trip will not require a new or different Visa, but will require your I-20 be signed for travel.

Next is a trip to Washington, DC. This trip will be led by Harold Bryer. Harold, if you are not familiar, is associated with an organization called, InterFace. This is not part of ISSS, but Harold has worked with us for many years to provide services and events for international students. You might know Harold from the Tuesday night, Conversation Partners Meal. Harold's trip to DC will be March 4th through 12th. The cost will be $350 plus one tank of gas (approximately $40). This cost covers transportation and lodging, but not food and other items. For this trip, you can sign up in the ISSS office, Jones Hall 111. This trip is limited to two males and four females. If you would like to sign up, bring a $100 deposit to the ISSS office as early as possible.

Finally, ISSS will plan a trip to somewhere in the Middle Tennessee area for those who are not planning to travel during the break. The trip will be a single day trip, leaving out at 8am, and returning by 4pm. We will have a survey in a future email for those wishing to join. It will be Wednesday, March 9, and will have a destination of somewhere such as, Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, Fall Creek Falls Park for hiking, the Huntsville Space Museum in Alabama, the Nashville Zoo, etc. Start thinking about where you'd like to go and be ready to answer the survey when it is asked.

So, begin thinking about your Spring Break plans. The second week of March will be here before you know it!

Today, we are hosting our semi-annual welcome reception for our new international students. All are welcome to join us. Light refreshments will be available. The reception will begin at 4pm in the James Union Building (JUB) Hazelwood Room. Go up the main steps to the building, into the lobby, and follow the hall to the left. You can't miss us!

Whether you are new to campus, or have been here a few semesters, this always provides a great opportunity to meet new international, or catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while. We hope you'll join us to greet and welcome our new students.

Today, we have added the ability to view the agenda of our Google Calendar to the sidebar. Clicking on an event will expend it, so you can see more details. Of course you can always visit the full calendar, http://tiny.cc/ISSScal, but from this blog, you can quickly see what is coming up.

Remember to check back often to see what's new, and don't forget, you can subscribe to this blog to be notified when changes are made.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

In an attempt to keep you, the international community at MTSU, up-to-date on everything we have happening, we have created this blog to post event reminders and event follow-up. By visiting on a regular basis, you will always know what is coming. You can also find photos and reviews of events that have taken place. You can also use the site to comment on events.

Another use for the site will be for us to keep you informed of important dates and events that you can use to stay connected with the campus, as a whole, or items that are important to help you maintain your immigration status. It will also be used to direct prospective and new students through the application and orientation process.